Office machine worktable construction

ABSTRACT

A worktable particularly for data processing systems which includes one or more keyboards and mechanical or electronic parts of the system which are arranged separate from one another, comprises a table having a support for a printing unit and a console which is carried at the front of the table adjacent the printing unit and mounted for movement vertically. The console is adapted to receive one or more keyboards and to have a rest for holding the work. The console may additionally carry a keyboard which is extendable outwardly from the front face thereof or, which may be moved inwardly into a recessed or completely withdrawn obscured position.

United States Patent 91 Gutmann, Jr. et al.

[ Dec. 11, 1973 OFFICE MACHINE WORKTABLE CONSTRUCTION [75] lnventors:Karl Gutmann, Jr.,

Unterkirnach/Schw.; Joachim Meinherz, Paderborn, both of Germany [73]Assignee: Firma Karl Gutmann AG Talstrasse, Germany [22] Filed: Aug. 6,1971 [21] Appl. No.: 169,746

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 7, 1970 Germany P 20 16413.0 Apr. 7, 1970 Germany. P 20 16 412.9

[52] US. Cl 312/272.5, 312/208, 312/196, 312/223 [51] Int. Cl. A47b21/00, A47b 51/00 [58] Field of Search 312/208, 196, 223, 7 312/272,272.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 491,249 2/1893 Reynolds312/196 2,270,249 1/1942 Birkmeyer 312/208 X 2,306,209 12/1942 Elofsonet al.... 312/223 X 2,547,754 4/1951 Herrick 312/208 2,555,254 5/1951Stebbins 312/223 X 2,781,037 2/1957 Vuncannon 312/272 3,321,257 5/1967Carlson 312/196 373,753 11/1887 Read 312/196 3,197,618 7/1965 Stanley eta1. 235/616 Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Attorney-John J. McGlew etal.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A worktable particularly for data processing systemswhich includes one or more keyboards and mechanical or electronic partsof the system which are arranged separate from one another, comprises atable having a support for a printing unit and a console which iscarried at the front of the table adjacent the printing unit and mountedfor movement vertically. The console is adapted to receive one or morekeyboards and to have a rest for holding the work. The console mayadditionally carry a keyboard which is extendable outwardly from thefront face thereof or, which may be moved inwardly into a recessed orcompletely withdrawn obscured position.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OFTHEINVENTION This invention relates in general to the construction ofoffice tables and in, particular to a new and useful worktableparticularly for data processing systems having electronic keyboards andmechanical and/or electrical parts of the system which are arrangedseparate from one another.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 7 It is knownto arrange the table top oftypewriter tables so that it can be adjusted to the particular heightpreferred by the respective operator for the operation of the typewriterkeyboard. For such constructions the table top is provided with anadjustable portion or support which is suspended on so-called gassprings to provide anadjustable support at relatively low cost. Sucharrangements cannot be used for data processing systems which arefrequently equipped with box-shaped table tops and which include aplurality of mechanical and electrical units of the system which areseparately arranged; The adjustability of such a large and heavy areatables is not feasible because the parts are too heavy and must besecured on the under-frame with greater stability. For office machinetables for data processing systems including those having keyboardsprocessing systems these keyboards are usually located at equal levels,side by side, in an inclined front portion of the table top. The tabletop also accommodates the printing unit and other mechanical orelectrical partial units of the computer or the data processing system.The alpha keyboard is located directly in front of the printer, whilethe numerical keyboard as well as the command keyboard are located tothe right of the alpha keyboard. In order to make it easy for theoperator to feed the data into the various keyboards inorder to handlethe records, e.g. the vouchers from which the data must be read and putin, there is provided usually to the left of the alpha keyboard, arecorder holder in the form of a slanting board. In general, the feed ofnumerical values into the numerical keyboard is usually done with thoperator's right arm outstretched, and it has been found in practicethat the difference between the record holder to the left of the alphakeyboard and the numerical keyboard as well as the command keyboardstill farther to the right is too great. Working at such a table istherefore very strenuous and leads to considerable fatigue and musclecramp after a relatively short working period. It has already beenproposed that this deficiency can be remedied by arranging the recordholder so that is is displaceable in order to be able to bring thekeyboards farther removed from it closer up. This, however, involves thedisadvantage that the alpha keyboard is at least partly covered by therecord holder. j

A further disadvantage of the known keyboard arrangement is that thealpha keyboard and the other keyboards are normally operated with onehand and with the arm in a stretched position and they are all an rangedat the same level, which is an incorrect arrangement from the viewpointof work hygiene. The operation of the alpha keyboard, as is known,usually occurs with the lower arm bent and therefore it should bearranged at a lower height than the other keyboards operated with onehand with the arm stretched.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention there isprovided an office machine table, in particular for data processingsystems having electronic keyboards, where it is possible to adjust thekeyboards of the data processing systems to the position of theindividual keyboards which are most favorable for the operator inaccordance with standard work hygiene arrangements and also inaccordance with the workers operating techniques and, without requiringany excessive energy cost and without impairing the necessary stabilityof the table top and the respective construction thereof. In accordancewith the invention the front of the mounting table for the dataprocessing systems includes a console or support bracket which isadjustable in height and which is adapted to carry one or morekeyboards. With such an arrangement the entire table does not have to bemounted for vertical movement but only the much lighter console carryingthe keyboards is adjustable to this desired height. Since the keyboardsare in connection with the other units of the data processing systemwhich are secured on the table top, the adjustable mounting of theconsole is such that the connecting electrical cables are easilyaccommodated for vertical adjustable movement.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention the console isformed of a box-shaped configuration with a cover which isadvantageously inclined downwardly towards the front and which carriesthe keyboards which are to be adjusted in height. Construction permits afavorable arrangement and interconnection of the keyboards which arecarried on the inclined cover by wiring which extends through theconsole and is connected under the table to various elements sup portedon the table. This means that all of the parts of the keyboard, inparticular the electrical junctions and electronic components, can beaccommodated in a protected location within the console and within thetable.

The mounting construction includes a support on the table for spacedvertically extending guide members or columns which form a rack which isengaged by a rotatable gear carried on the console. The gear isrotatably supported on an upright member on the console which is securedby straps which engage around the vertical rack support so that there iseasy vertical guiding movement for the console portion. Means are alsoprovided for locking the console at a selected elevation which includesa member having a tooth which is engageable with the rotatable gear onthe console table to prevent its rotation and thus lock the table at anadjusted height. The locking means may be usually disengaged bycontacting an unlocking lever to permit the vertical adjustment of theconsole in respect to the associated table. Particularly advantageous:in the structural simplicity, the good guiding stability, and the smallspace requirement of the inventive arrangement. The locking mechanism isrelatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and offers a means forstably fixing the console in the desired position, and it is notparticularly subject to wear. The provision of a locking lever with v atooth projection which engages in a rotatable gear means that smallvertical adjustment may be easily accomplished.

In the preferred arrangement the console includes means for rotatablysupporting a transverse shaft which carries a locking gear adjacent eachend which is engageable with associated fixed upright rack membersforming guide columns on the table. The locking elements are in the formof lever members which are pivotal on a guide bracket for the uprightrack members and which include an extension extending through the bottomof the console which may be easily engaged for releasing the rotatablegears to permit displacement of the console upwardly and downwardly onthe guide columns. For relatively wide consoles the locking device canbe operated at two different points simultaneously in a positive andpower-coupled manner and the stability of the fixation is thereforegreatly increased. The rack members may be made separate from the guidecolumns if so desired, but it is preferred that the guiding and the geardriving connection function be incorporated in a single member in orderto save parts and expense.

In another embodiment of the invention the console is adapted to containan additional keyboard-which is mounted for extension or retractionwithin the console table.

The invention provides not only the advantage that the keyboards whichoperate in different manners can be arranged at the most favorableheight in each instance but also it is possible to arrange the keyboardso that the distance from the record holder is no longer too great. Thefact that during certain posting jobs, the alpha keyboard is hardlyneeded or not needed at all, is taken into account by mounting the alphakeyboard so that it may be pushed into the console table when not in useso that it will not hinder the operator. The keys of the numerical andcommand keyboards are arranged in the inclined surface of the consoletable and the console table includes a front wall in which the alphakeyboard is mounted so that it may be either extended or retracted asdesired. The alpha keyboard is advantageously mounted on a slide byroller bearing bushings which permit the inward and outward sliding ofthe mounting on a plurality of rod members. This mounting permits easymovement of the alpha keyboard without any possibility of frictionalgrabbing. The slide mounting is advantageously placed under a springbiasing force which urges it outwardly and it is provided with a lockingdevice which is releasable by a key. It is therefore possible to movethe alpha keyboard when it is needed from the hidden retracted positionto an operating position at which it is exposed outwardly withoutappreciable loss of time by the simple pressure of a key.

A further improvement of the invention with respect to the workorientation and work hygiene comprises the mounting of a console so thatit is connected with the table top or a supporting frame of the table.This makes it possible to adjust all the keyboards jointly to the heightmost comfortable for the respective operator without making it necessaryto arrange the entire table top of the computer table so that it isadjustable.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide an improved worktable particularly for data processing systems which includes a fixedtable and a console which is mounted on the table for verticaladjustable movement and which is adapted to carry one or more keyboards.

A further object of the invention is to provide a worktable particularlyfor data processing systems and which includes a console which ismovable on a worktable and which carries an extendable and retractablemounting for an alpha keyboard.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table for officeoperating equipment which is simple in design, rugged in constructionand economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understandingof the invention, itsoperating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be had to the accompanying drawing and descriptivematter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an office machine table having akeyboard console which is adjustable in height as constructed inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken along the line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 33 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section similar to FIG. 5 and on a reduced scale showing thekeyboard in a retracted position.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to thedrawings in particular, the invention embodied therein comprises anoffice machine table generally designated 50 which includes a box-shapedtable top 1 which is supported on upright legs 2 and 3. The tableprovides a means for mounting, for example, a complete data processingsystem which includes a printing unit 4 which is mounted on the tabletop 1 and in addition various other electrical or electromechanicalunits of a data processing system can also be accommodated.

In accordance with the invention a console 6 is mounted on the table top1 in a manner permitting vertical adjustment thereof. The console 6comprises an elongated narrow low box-shaped construction with aninclined top cover 9 which accommodates separate keyboards 7 and 8 inopenings 10 and 11 respectively.

As shown particularly in FIG. 2 and 3, the table top 1 is provided witha recess in which are positioned two laterally spaced vertical guidecolumns 12 and 13 which are secured by securing bolts or screws 14 and15 to a rail-like structure 16 arranged in the front face of the tabletop. The console 6 carries two vertically spaced guide members orholders 19 and 20 which are mounted at side walls 17 and 18. The guidemembers 19 and 20 are slidably guided on guide columns 12 and 13 of thesupport table 1. A shaft 23 is rotatably mounted on two side plates 21and 22 and extends between the holders 19 and 20. The side plates 21 and22 are fastened to the side walls 17 and 18, respectively, of theconsole. Gears 24 and 25 are fixed to the shaft 23 adjacent therespective ends and they engage with racks 26 and 27 which are formed onthe outer surface ofthe guide columns 12 and'13..The gears 24 and 25thus rotate synchronously during the upward and downward motion of theconsole 6.

Locking means are provided for locking the console in an adjustedvertical position which includes a locking lever 28 and 29 which ispivotally mounted to the upper support bracket 19 adjacent each gear 24and 25 and urged in a direction to cause a projecting tooth 3 thereof toengage with the gear teeth of the associated gear by the action of abiasing spring 31. The outer ends of both ratchet levers 28 and 29 areprovided with respective handles 32 and 33 which project outwardlythrough openings 35 and 36 at theunderside of the front portion of theconsole 6. By contacting these end plates 32 and 33, such as by theknees of the operator, it is possible to lift the projection 30 out ofengagement with the gears 24 and 25 in order to facilitate the movementof the console either upwardly or downwardly to a desired position. Themanual pressure on the elements 32 and 33 from below and upwardly pivotsthe associated levers 28 and 29 to free the gears for rotation whichpermits the upward or downward, movement. As soon as the desiredadjusted position of the console is reached the ratchet levers 28 and 29are released and the springs31 urge the associated levers in a directionto cause re-engagement of the tooth 30 into the associated gear 24and/or 25. This causes the locking of the console 6 in the adjustedposition.

, In the above embodiment the console 6 is arranged so as to. protrudeat the front 5 of the table top 1. It is also possible to arrange theconsole within a cutout portion of the table 1 for adjustment of .heightif so desired, in which case it would protrude only partially or not atall from the front edge of the table top 1. The length or the width ofthe console can be designed as desired and the inclined top surface maybe made as low or as high as desired.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 there is provided an officetable generally designated 55 which includes parts which are similarlydesignated to those of FIGS. 1 to 3 but with primes. In thisconstruction the console 6' forms a continuation of the front of thetable top 1', and the cover 9' for the console is inclined at an angleof about 10. In this construction a numerical keyboard 47 and severalcommand keyboardsor programming keyboards 48 are located in the face ofthe inclined cover 9. An alpha keyboard 52 is centered approximately inrelation to the posting machine or printer 4' which is located in thetable top 1. The alpha keyboard 52 is arranged on a slide member orslide mounting 53 having linear movable roller bushings 54 which providefor easy frictionless roller movement of the slide mount on supportingrods 55 which are secured to the table top 1 by holder elements'56 and57. The slide mount 53 may be pushed all the way into the console 6 asindicated in FIG. 6 or pulled out completely as shown in FIG. 5. The useof the spherical ball bushing 54 insures a clearance-free stable and yeteasily displaceable mounting of the slide 53 in the console 6. A lockingdevice (not shown) is provided which is releasable by pressure on a keyto permit the slide to be locked in position as shown in FIG. 6 or whichmay be released by the locking device to cause a biasing spring 58 tourge it to the outward position shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, a record holder 59 is arranged to the left of thekeyboard 52. The numerical keyboard 47 and a part of the command orprogram keyboard 48 is located directly above the alpha keyboard 52 sothat all of these keyboards can be located substantially at the samedistance from the record holder 59 at a location most favorable. forworking without inconvenience. The numerical keyboard 47 and the commandor program keyboard 48 are located on a higher plane than the alphakeyboard 52, so that in the vertical direction the most favorableworkingiposit ion of the individual keyboards also exist.

In FIG. 4 a dash-lined indication of amounting of a keyboard 53, thatis, an alpha keyboard, may be provided in which the mounting 53' extendsat a right angle to that indicated in the solid lines.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6 as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 to 3,the console 6 is not rigidly fastenedto the table top 1 but isadjiustably mounted for vertical movement by means ,of holders l9 and 20which are arranged on vertically extending columns 12 and 13. With theinventive construction it is expedient to secure the record holder 59 sothat it is pivotal on a console 6' and to place it loosely on a part ofthe tabletop 1 so that it will not hinder the displacement and height ofthe console 6'. This results in an advantage that when the console 6' isset lower, the record holder 59 assumes a steeperposition and thus givesa shorter operator a better vision of the records deposited thereon. i

The arrangement of the keyboard 47, 48 and 52 in the embodiments of FIG.4 to 6 offers advantages in respect to working technique and workhygiene but it is also advantageous from the space saving standpoint andit can be applied whenever different keyboards which are operated by oneoperator in different ways are to be arranged in the most favorablemanner for the respective working method.-

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

- 1. An office machine table comprising a table top adapted to containan office machine such as a machine of a data processing system, atleast one mounting column carried on said table top, a console having atleast one keyboard, said console having at least one guide memberengageable over said mounting column and supporting said console forvertical upward and downward movement along said column, said columnincluding a rack portion, a shaft carried on said console and having agear which is in engagement with said rack portion, said gear beingrotatable upon upward and downward movement of said console, and lockingmeans mounted on said console, said locking means comprising at leastone lever pivoted on said console and having a locking tooth engageablewith said gear for locking said gear to prevent movement of saidconsole, a spring biasing said lever toward said gear to causeengagement of said locking tooth, and a release member on said lever inan accessible position for engaging said lever to lift said lockingtooth out of engagement with said gear.

2. An office machine table particularly for data processing systemshaving a table top adapted to contain an office machine according toclaim '1, wherein said console comprises two of said, at least one,keyboard with at least one first keyboard being adjacent said machinetable and at least one second keyboard below said first keyboard, andmeans mounting said second keyboard for movement into and out of saidconsole means.

3. An office machine table, according to claim 2, wherein said consolecomprises a box-shaped member having an inclined top surface, containingsaid first keyboard, said first keyboard including a numerical keyboardset and a command keyboard set, said second keyboard comprising an alphakeyboard.

4. An office machine table, according to claim 3, including a slidemember carried on said console and being movable into and out of saidconsole and adapted to contain at least one second keyboard.

5. An office machine table, according to claim 4, including means formounting said slide member for inward and outward movement in respect tosaid console comprising a rod member on one part and a spherical bushingon the other part and slidably engaged over said rod member.

6. An office machine table, according to claim 4, including spring meansfor biasing said slide member to an outward position at which it isexposed out of said console and slide locking means for locking saidslide in an inward position withdrawn into said console.

1. An office machine table comprising a table top adapted to contain anoffice machine such as a machine of a data processing system, at leastone mounting column carried on said table top, a console having at leastone keyboard, said console having at least one guide member engageableover said mounting column and supporting said console for verticalupward and downward movement along said column, said column including arack portion, a shaft carried on said console and having a gear which isin engagement with said rack portion, said gear being rotatable uponupward and downward movement of said console, and locking means mountedon said console, said locking means comprising at least one leverpivoted on said console and having a locking tooth engageable with saidgear for locking said gear to prevent movement of said console, a springbiasing said lever toward said gear to cause engagement of said lockingtooth, and a release member on said lever in an accessible position forengaging said lever to lift said locking tooth out of engagement withsaid gear.
 2. An office machine table particularly for data processingsystems having a table top adapted to contain an office machineaccording to claim 1, wherein said console comprises two of said, atleast one, keyboard with at least one first keyboard being adjacent saidmachine table and at least one second keyboard below said firstkeyboard, and means mounting said second keyboard for movement into andout of said console means.
 3. An office machine table, according toclaim 2, wherein said console comprises a box-shaped member having aninclined top surface, containing said first keyboard, said firstkeyboard including a numerical keyboard set and a command keyboard set,said second keyboard comprising an alpha keyboard.
 4. An office machinetable, according to claim 3, including a slide member carried on saidconsole and being movable into and out of said console and adapted tocontain at least one second keyboard.
 5. An office machine table,according to claim 4, including means for mounting said slide member forinward and outward movement in respect to said console comprising a rodmember on one part and a spherical bushing on the other part andslidably engaged over said rod member.
 6. An office machine table,according to claim 4, including spring means for biasing said slidemember to an outward position at which it is exposed out of said consoleand slide locking means for locking said slide in an inward positionwithdrawn into said console.